Flying-machine.



J. W. SEDDON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV. 14, 1910.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. W. SEDDON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION PILED'I 0V.14, 1910.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. W. SEDDON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, 1910.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913 3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

"a. Jinn) is it in .ll. .JLAl

i rm .i

A 1T "It in. it via .QDON, 0F PAINS JVICK, ENGLAND.

FLYING-MJKCHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 111, i913.

.pplicatioa iiiei. Itcvember 14, 1916. Serial No. 592,165.

(tru sm Snuof Great Britain, names, in the on: lilo d, lieutenant, Royal rave iuventznl certain new and useful of 'W'iich the followin This invention reiates to aeroplanes and is applicable to those of the biplane, inonoplane or other similar type. the improvements having for yarious ct their several purposes to provice a construction which is e:;ceptionally strong, whic... is rigid, light and which at the same time is able to give slightly by which means sudden shock is materially averted and 'thepossibility of breakage substantially lessened so that in the event of the aeroplane coming into concussive contact with the grouml or with another object it is enabled to withstand the effect of same in a much more satisfactory manner than has heretofore been the A. further feature of this invention exists in the characteristic whereby the position of certain of the planes. preferably the outer planes. may be altered by which means the lifting etlort of the planes at either side of the machine may be iniilcpendently reduced or increased by the aviator while i flight, in order to maintain a correct balance. The Facilities'for so adjusting the planes are of particular advantage when turning the aeroplane, in which operation the planes on the inner side of the machine are adjusted t'or increased lifting effort to compensate for their :slowrr movement through th outer side of the machine may at the same time be fltljlltil'tfl to decrease their lifting effort. The adjustable planes may however be adjusted in the same manner on both.

sides of the aeroplane; thus it the aeroplane is to carry a greater weight the planes on both sides would be altered to increase the liftin eti'ort while it the wei 'ht is reduced the )lflTlQF; would be altered to reduce the lifting eliort and the aeroplane could then be dr' *en in the air at the same speed while consuming a smaller amount ot. fuel. ecr Caused to tly'at an increased speed while air. while the planes on the consuming the same amount of fuel, this advantage accruing by reason of the decreased resistance to the air ofiered by the planes when in their altered position.

In order that this invention may be readunderstood and more easily carried into practice, reference may be had to the appended explanatory three sheets of'draiwings, on which Figure 1 is a side elevation 01" an aeroplane constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the aeroplane shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a "front elevation of the aeroplane shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. is a section on line A-B of Fig. 1. Fig. is a side elevation illustrating a modified form of the construction; Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 5. Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate forms of clips, useful for asse nblingthe hereinafter described tt'ramework.

In a convenient embodiment of these im provements the framework is built up essentially of a series of metal, wood, composite, or other rings or hoops, preferably...

of circular or elliptical or substantially circular 0r elliptical configuration, the said rings or hoops being secured or aggregated together in such a manner as to form the main frame of the machine.

Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. show an arrangement in which the fusilage, or main longitudinalsubstantially the same in aspect as the pair numbered 3. Intermediate to the pairs numbered 1, 3, 5 are the pairs numbered 2 and 4.- Each of the pairs 2 and 4% has its common arranged transversely of the length of the machine instead oi" longitudinally as is the case with the pairs numbered 1, 3, 5. 7 intermediate to the pairs 1' and 3 the as hoops may be clipped or s c-cured together at the eight points numbered 6, 7. S, 9, l0, 11,12 and 13. This is lso the case with the pair 4 which is intermediate to the pair By s0 ii'icorpoiauing the pair 2- numbered 3..and 5. The laterallyprojecti'ng parts of the frame, by which the planes are carried,'maybe assembled in a manner differing from .that of the longitudinal part of the frame. This is particularly shown in Fig. 3 from which it will be seen I thateach of the side extensions is composed ofthe two pairs of hoops numbered 14 and 15 both of which have their common axes disposed longitudinally of the machine.

The pair of hoops numbered 14 areclipped or secured to the pair numbered 1 at the two points 16, 17, and the'pair 15 are secured to the pair 14 at the points 18, 19.

It will be seen from Fig. 3 that the laterally projecting parts of the frame are not horizontal but slightly upraised; this is to provide for the lateral dihedral angle, and

the upraised position may be attained by making the upper halvesof the pair ofhoops 14, less curved or of such form that the said upper halves of pair 14 are slightly shallower than their lower halves, thus causing the hdfops of pair 14, from a front as-' pect, to constitute the diagonals of a rhomboid. Or if it be desired to use hoops all of the same formation the hoops may overlap at the points 16, 18and may be secured at two places instead of one. The lateral framework from a front aspect may thus be constituted of three rectangles and two intermediate rhomboids. I It will be seen from'Fig. 1 that the pairs 1 and5 are upraised in relation to the pair 3. This arrangement permits in a particularly simpleand satisfactory way .of a longitudinal'dihe'dral' angle, 2". e. an angle equivalent to the lateral dihedral angle, but which is apparent on viewing the machine from the side instead of from the front, and it will thus be understood that the aeroplane illustrated comprises five pairs of hoops for the front planes, five pairsfor the back planes, and five pairs for the fusilage which latter however has one of its pairs common .to the hoops for the front planes and another of its pairs common to the hoops for the rear planes. Such an arrangement, provided with both, lateral andlongitudinal dihedral angles is particularly stablewhen in flight.

It is however to be particularly understood that the invention is'applicable to numerous other forms or arrangements of aeroplanes. Also the construction of fusilage may be used with side extensions of any ordinary formation, consituted, for instance of spars.

;Fig's 5 and 6 illustrate another method by which the hoops may be aggregated. The

pair 22 has its hoops arranged at approxi-'- mately 45 (say) to the vertical. The pair 23 has itshoops at substantially the same incline as that of the hoops of the pair 22 and the two pairs are clipped or secured togetherat points 24,25,26 and 27. In order that all the hoops may be secured to a common aki'al tube the hoops of pair 23 maybe slightly less inclined to the vertical than the hoopsj of pain 22, this bein necessary to provide for the thickness of the hoop tubing at the points of intersection. Such a construction may be partially orentirely collapsible. Thus the frame may be made so that it can be disassembled into the various pairs of hoops for transport. Or each pair of hoops may be further divisible into the individual hoops or into half hoops'or the pair of hoops may be divisible into two parts each consisting of two hoop halves joined together at an angle. Four longitudinal rows of stays .28 may be incorporated to strengthen the structure and toact as back-bone members, in tension or compression according to circumstances. Vertical struts 29 may also be pro:

vided, also horizontal struts 80,- arranged as which the engines 35 may be suspended by a suitable framework. The engines 35, of which two may conveniently be used are disposed one on each side of the tube 33 and may each drive an independent propeller 36,. or provision may be made for clutching the two propellers together to thereby cause ioo them to work in unison. Conveniently four planes 37, 38, 39, 40' are used, extending completely across the'machine, two ,being at the rear and two at the front. The said planes are suitably clipped or connected to the, I

hoop-framework. Of the front or rear pairs of planes the lowerones are'small'er and .are arranged a little inadvance of-the upper} planes as by this arrangement the air is perhapsmore beneficially diverted, and the effic'iency of, the lifting surface increased. Each of the four planes is fitted in five parts so that the backbone of each part forms a;

stay or strut connected to and tending to strengthen the main framework. Intermediate packing. pieces are disposed between the extremitiesofsuch last mentioned struts. By virtue of the clips by which the hoops or.

pairs of hoops are connected together the po sition of any pairof hoops may be'altered to adjust the position of the wings in1ac-- corda'nce with the weight to be carried, or othercircumstances. -It will be obvious that the shape of the hoop framework is particularly adapted for the reception of the wings. Figs. 7 and 8 show'convenient clips, useful -to provide for the various hoops andparts v of the framework being clipped together and also to provide for the straight struts and equivalent members being clipped in conunction with the framework. Such clips or connecting devices are provided which are advantageously of a character permitting of the parts of the framework being adjusted to a different position, as for instance to permit'o'f the aforementioned adjustment of the position of any pair of hoops in the operation of adjusting the wings. In an instance in which it is desired to clip together the t'ubcsoi" two'hoops, each tube is encircled by a collar assembled in two parts and one of the said collars is provided wit-h a boss -l-(l adapted to screw into the other collar in such a manner that the tube of the one hoop may take any inclination in relation to the tube of the other. In order to permit of the incorporation of straightstruts or members the screwed boss or any suitable part between the two collars may be encircled by a ring or equivalent member 47 having at or near its periphery one or more sockets 48 into which the extremities of the struts may be screwed or secured. Ur if desired the pe riphery r perimeter of the ring member may carry one or more pivot-s 49 which carry the extremities of the straight struts, in such a. manner to permit of the latter being displaced into various positions, thus two straight struts have perforated extremiti 30 each of amaroximately half the width of the rut and which extremities both upon the one pivot by a but or other suitable means. The extremities 5G be tornu integral with the struts, or crably one or both are secured to the by a screw connection so that the exwlicn detached from the pivot can be rotated to the des'v ed lengt 1 before being secured by the livots from rotation. in Fig. 8 one of the extremities 50 is adapted to be screwed into the end 0 vhe strut, the other 5O comprisii LSQCliGlZ which receives me of the other s.: .t. The four pairs o'l i are not 'riiridly'clipped to t e onnected thereto by verui nions such as i by which s 15 and side win may forwa rdi or rearward l y the n'iachine. iVh-en e oiit'he le ft hand tlie weigg'l'it on one I v i side oi hi r in greater than that on .i in me other the mi on that side we ail-- s 4.1 may be as near (l. 'i'liiiz tri..

i The wings L2 3 buns cut away so as not to V s on the right hand e elevation but are a greater lifting eii'ort on obstruct the extent oi their displacement. By theforeg'oing description it will thus be understood that by so operating the planes I utilize the lateral dihedral angle to Vary the lifting effort on either or both sides of the machine. Each of the wings i2 is suitably connected, as for instance by a wire to the steering wheel or member and is preferably connected in such a. manner that the ordinary operation of the rudders also operates the swingingplanes in the required manner for turning. Means may also be incorporated whereby the wings may be operate-d individually or collectively by the steer- Provision may also be made wheres the wings #22, can be locked or temporarily secured in any desired position.

Therudders, of which. four may be used, may be of the usuai or ofany suitable form, and it will be understood that toe construction of th: aeroplane is particularly applicable tor the incorporation of tour rudders two at the t'roi t and two at the rear. Tlhe steering memb r may also be adapted to operate the elevator in any suitable manner the elevator being of any convenient or suitable form. The landing; and other nurtenances may also be of any suitable or convenient t'orrn' of construction.

By the use of two or more propellers arranged out cit-thecenter line and independently driven it possible to cause a grim volume of air to tlow under one of 'th aeroplane than under the the one sine, and by this means the aeroplane n be riglited when heeled over (transve-. i-iy}. During this operation the aeroplane can be maintained in a straight course by a rudder and can thus be right-ed if desired, while at th'esame time maintaining a straight course.

Referring again to the construction of the framework it will be clear, on ence to the drawings, that the. transvcr Lures are to the 1:15.1": c struc e by (lv'iil'li. structures, 4 a pa ciitand satisfactory coni'lectio tented. The hoops convenie.

i of the "water in those the center oi the structure than inciai tube, the thiciim r the met o. tube being rings near in those ad rant ugeon;

the it wiil be the : resent V be ,r.. thus giving x -gwhile I have described the hoop construc .tion. only in connection with aeroplanes I wish it to be particularly understood that such construction in its various forms is not, restricted to this application but may be used with particular advantage in dirigibles,

aeroplane dirigibles, pontoon work, and nu-' axis. of'the structure-at the front thereof,

planes mounted above and below said hoops and extending transversely of 'said structure, a rear "P0111011 comprising an assemblage A necting 'said' front and rear substantially as described.

of hoops extending transversely of said structure and in parallel relation to thefront assemblage, planes mounted I transversely above and below said rear assemblage, and a longitudinally disposed hoop structure conassemblages,

2. A flying machine comprising in combination, a structure composed of an assemblageof hoops arranged in alinement and disposed transversely to form the. front of said structure, .a rear portion 'for" said structure comprising an assemblage of i hoops extending transversely of the machine and in parallel relation to the front assemblage, planes for said rear assemblage of hoops, and a hoop structure extending longitudinallyof the machine and connecting said front and rear assemblages, substantially as described.-

3. Aflying machine comprising in combination, a-supporting structurecomprising a plurality of hoopsarranged in angular re- I lation with respecttoeach other, and supnation a supporting structure comprising a- I porting planes-mounted on-said hoops,sub-

'stantially as described.

'- 4. A flying machine'comprising'combifront part composed of a plurality of hoops arranged in angular relation with -res ect to each other, arear portion composed o a p lu' rality of hoops arranged in angular relation I "with respect to each other, supporting planes on-said front and rear portions, and strutsand tension members connecting said rear and front portions, substantially as. described. v 5. A flying machine-comprising in combination, 'a supporting structure comprising a "front portion composed of a v plurality of hoops arranged in angular relatlon with respect to each other,a rear portion composed of aplurality of hoops arrangedin angular relation with respect to each other, supporting planes for said front and rear portions,

an intermediate portioncomposed of groups of hoops connecting the front andrear portions, one group of hoops being arranged in angulanrelation with respect totheother group of such intermediate portions, '"sub-.

stantial-l as described.

6. A ying machine framecomprising a plurality of hoops arrangedin groupswith the hoops of one group connected with each other 'and'the groups connected with each.

other, the hoops of one group being angularly disposed with respect'fto each other, and the hoops of the adjacent group being angularly disposed with. respect to each' other and with respect to the hoops of. the groupito which they are attached, substan-' tially as described. Y

.7. A flying machine frame comprising a. plurality of connected groups of hoops, the; hoops of one group being angularly disposed at. approximately 45 degrees from the verticahand the hoops of the next adjacent group being disposed at right angles to thehoops of the first mentioned hoops, sub-- stantially as described.

.8. A flying machine frame comprising a plurality of connected end and" intermediate groups of hoops,thehoops of certain groups being disposed with their planes parallelwith the longitudinal axis of the frame and the hoops of intermediate groups being disposed with their planes angular to the lon gitudinalaxisv of the frame, su stantially as described. a i

9. A rigid frame structure; comprising'in combination, a plurality of rigidly connectof each group being angularly disposed with respect to each other, substantially: as

described. 10. A-rigid frame structure comprising in combination, a plurality of rigidly con nected groups of hoops, the hoops of each. group being angularly disposed with r spect to each other, and the planes of thehoops of one group beingl angular to the ed groups of independent hoops, the hoopslie planes of the hoops of the next adjacent 11. A flying machine frame comprising in combination, a plurality of groups of con nected hoops, the hoops of each group being angularly disposed with respect to each other, some of said groups extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the frame I "and the lateral group extending transversely being tilted upward bodily with r'espect to the longitudinal axis of the frame, substantially as described.

12. A flying machine frame comprising in combination, a lur'ality of connects groups of hoops w th the hoops of each group -angularly disposed with respect to p each other and certain of the groups ex-- tending transversel axis of the frame, .t e transversely extending groups being disposed on a curved line of the longitudinal each other and in overlapping relation with v Y.

.in combination,

nected independently formed hoops ar.

ranged in angular relation With respect to respect to each other, substantially as described.

14. A flying machine frame comprising in combination, a plurality of independently formed hoops arranged in angular relation with respect to each other and in overlapping relation With respect to each other, and means for connecting said hoops at the overlapping junction, substantially as described.

15. A flying machine frame comprising in combination, a plurality of groups of in dependently formed hoops with the hoops of each group angularly disposed with respect to each other and the hoops of adjacentgroups lying in overlapping relation, and devices for rigidly connecting the hoops of adjacent groups at their overlapping junctures, substantially as described.

16. A flying machine comprising in combination, a frame composed of rigidly connected hoops having a longitudinal and transversely extending front and rear portions, and supporting planes on said transverse portion, substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses. JOHN VVILFRID SEDDON. Witnesses:

HAnoLD N. KEY, O. G. DIELL. 

